GRAPHIC PICS of my day learning to caponize

[dfr1973]

Wish me luck

May the Force be with you! I am going to try again on Friday morning and probably Sunday morning, depending on if the forecast changes or not.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:

for the both of you brave people!

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Thank you both!
There are four boys started on Vit K this morning. They are the only ones out of 12 that I am certain are cockerels. Did I get lucky or just have some late bloomers?!?!
The four fellows are quite suspicious, and convinced that death is imminent! It was cute to watch their hatchmates try to figure out how to get to them as I put them in the cage, chickens shouldn't be underestmated!

I feel lucky that I was able to learn a skill that can give them a much more quaility life!

I finally got my uncaponized male butchered yesterday (he was the oldest, at 16 weeks and tried to bleed out on me). At 4 1/2 months he was causing trouble and my main roo (Midas the buff Brahma) was on crazed-aggression-mode (normally he is a total gentelman). There wasn't much meat for all of the trouble he's caused.
My two capons who are 6 weeks younger, are huge and pal around together finding yummy tidbits.

 

[dfr1973]

Question about windpuffs - the cockerel I did a week ago still has a massive windpuff. It isn't just a bubble but practically his whole right side, going down to the drumstick and up to the backbone and forward to the wing. Any idea what causes this? I suppose I should have been more aggressive about checking and deflating it, but he was truly freaked out about the surgery and ran and hid from both hubby and me.

 

[Deerfield Acres]

dfr1973, I've heard you just poke it with a needle like a balloon to let the air out. You have more experience than I so that's for what it's worth.

tarabellabirds, where did you get your headlamp? I have 50 cockerels I bought expressly for caponizing and I've amassed most of the tools I need but the light I have someone would have to hold it for me and I would like to be able to do this without help. I saw Kassaundra's post with the large rubber band things to hold them down, what will you use?

 

[Kassaundra]

Question about windpuffs - the cockerel I did a week ago still has a massive windpuff. It isn't just a bubble but practically his whole right side, going down to the drumstick and up to the backbone and forward to the wing. Any idea what causes this? I suppose I should have been more aggressive about checking and deflating it, but he was truly freaked out about the surgery and ran and hid from both hubby and me.

Yes the windpuffs need to be released, w/ a puff that big you may have to puncture a couple of places. But it is just a puncture then apply gentle pressure to the areas full of air pressing towards the puncture. A chicken's "lungs" aren't as well separated from the body as ours so it is much easier for them to get subQ air but their skin isn't as firmly attatched as ours so it is much easier to release the subq air in a chicken.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

dfr1973, I've heard you just poke it with a needle like a balloon to let the air out. You have more experience than I so that's for what it's worth.

tarabellabirds, where did you get your headlamp? I have 50 cockerels I bought expressly for caponizing and I've amassed most of the tools I need but the light I have someone would have to hold it for me and I would like to be able to do this without help. I saw Kassaundra's post with the large rubber band things to hold them down, what will you use?

This is what I ordered. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QAAZY00/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can't really give you any other details as to how it works yet. It was late coming in so I had to push back the surgery.......grr. I had those fellows ready to go, I hate that they have to go through the fasting process again, but we are trying again Weds.

As far as restraining goes, I use the same process as Poco and Kassaundra showed, with the hairbands and cords. I think it gives the tighest hold with enough give to keep it comfortable for the birds.

 

[dfr1973]

Update on puffy the voodoo poppet: this morning he is trying to crow. Another red broiler out in the cockerel tractor is doing the same. They are 11 weeks old.

Weather forecast has been changing at least once a day here, so I have been delaying, but it looks like I need to get going. Wednesday and Thursday look promising.

Tara, that is the same headlamp hubby ordered for me back in February. It never came, and Amazon ended up just automatically crediting his money back.

 

[Deerfield Acres]

This is what I ordered. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QAAZY00/?tag=backy-20

I can't really give you any other details as to how it works yet. It was late coming in so I had to push back the surgery.......grr. I had those fellows ready to go, I hate that they have to go through the fasting process again, but we are trying again Weds.

As far as restraining goes, I use the same process as Poco and Kassaundra showed, with the hairbands and cords. I think it gives the tighest hold with enough give to keep it comfortable for the birds.

I sure hope that headlamp comes in soon. It would sure be nice to have. Sounds less promising though since dfr1973 didn't have any luck with it arriving at all.

I am wondering what the bungee cords are attached to? They are different colors so there must be two separate cords but what is holding them? I'm not really the most mechanical person on the planet.

Update on puffy the voodoo poppet: this morning he is trying to crow. Another red broiler out in the cockerel tractor is doing the same. They are 11 weeks old.

Weather forecast has been changing at least once a day here, so I have been delaying, but it looks like I need to get going. Wednesday and Thursday look promising.

Tara, that is the same headlamp hubby ordered for me back in February. It never came, and Amazon ended up just automatically crediting his money back.

That's so disappointing to hear about the headlamp not coming in. Thanks for sharing the info as I would have surely ordered one.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

It came in! Thus far I like it. Easily adjusts for comfort, tilting lamp is easy to move while on, two different ways to charge, and super bright.

I will put it to use Wed if everything goes as planned (note to self: Call sitter.).